Abandoned Sign – A sign that advertises a business or event that has been closed for more than 30 days or a sign that has been damaged, and repairs and restoration are not started within 60 days of the date the sign was damaged, or are not completed within 180 days once started.

Accessory Sign – Signage which is an integral part of outdoor display structures associated with a commercial or industrial use such as soft drink machines, gas pump, newspaper dispensers, and other similar structures.

Alteration (of sign) – Any change in the size, shape, method of illumination, construction, or supporting structure of a sign.

Area (of a sign) –

Balloon Sign – A sign made from a nonporous bag of touch light material normally filled with heated air or a gas lighter than air so as to rise and float and displaying graphics, symbols and/or written copy.

Banner Sign – A sign made of fabric or any nonrigid material with no enclosing framework.

Changeable Copy Sign (Electronic) – A sign on which the copy changes electronically.

Changeable Copy Sign (Manual) – A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, e.g., the panel permanently affixed as part of a larger sign, commonly used to advertise specials for commercial businesses.

Clearance (of a sign) – The vertical distance measured from the lowest point of the sign to the natural surface grade beneath the sign.

Copy – The message on a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter form or graphics, or symbols designed specifically for the purpose of visual communication.

Double-Face Sign – A sign with advertising on two faces wherein the faces are parallel or within ten degrees of parallel.

Face (of a sign) – The area of a sign on which the advertising is placed.

Festoons – A string of ribbons, tinsel, small flags, or pinwheels.

Flashing Sign – A sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention. Does not include electronic changeable copy signs or signs which, through reflection or other means, create an illusion of flashing of intermittent light.

Freestanding Sign – A sign supported upon the ground by a frame, pole(s), or other support structure which is not attached to any building. A freestanding sign shall count as one sign, even if it has two or more faces. In this context, freestanding signs include monument (ground-mount), pole, and pylon-type signs.

A. Monument. A freestanding sign of which the entire bottom of the sign is generally in contact with or in close proximity to the ground. Does not include pole or pylon signs.

B. Pylon Sign. A freestanding sign, usually double-faced, mounted on one or two supports above ground level. Also referred to as a pole sign.

Hazardous Sign – A sign which is detrimental to the public safety, including but not limited to: any sign that has a design, color, or lighting which may be mistaken for a traffic light, signal, or directional sign; any sign which is located in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision to motorists or pedestrians at intersections and driveways; any sign which, because of its location, would prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; any sign that is attached to a standpipe or fire escape; any sign which has lighting which temporarily blinds or impairs one’s vision; or any sign which is in a leaning, sagging, fallen, decayed, deteriorated, or other unsafe condition.

Height (of a sign) – The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign to the natural surface grade beneath the sign.

Illuminated Sign – A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally (i.e., direct illumination), or with an external light source directed to illuminate the exterior surface of the sign (i.e., indirect illumination). This definition includes signs with light sources which are disconnected from power.

Incidental Sign – A small sign, emblem, or decal typically used to inform the public of goods, facilities, or services available on the premises (e.g., a credit card sign or a sign indicating hours of business).

Landmark Sign – A sign found to be of historical or local significance by the planning commission.

Maintenance – For the purposes of Chapter 17.62 MMC (Signs), the cleaning, painting, repair, or replacement of defective parts of a sign, or to achieve a change in sign face, in a manner that does not alter the basic design or structure of the sign.

Marquee – A permanent roof-like projection from a building above the building entrance.

Mounted Sign – A sign permanently attached to a building.

A. Canopy Sign. A sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of a canopy or awning.

B. Projecting Sign. A sign, other than a flat wall sign, which is attached to and projects from a building wall or other structure not specifically designed to support the sign.

C. Roof Sign. Any mounted sign that projects above the top of a wall, eave, or parapet. Signs on a mansard roof or on a wall on the end façade of a gable roof are considered wall signs for the purposes of this ordinance, provided they do not extend above the roofline.

D. Hanging Sign. A sign that hangs beneath a marquee, canopy, or awning and is perpendicular to the building face.

E. Wall Sign. A sign attached parallel to and extending not more than 12 inches from the wall of a building. This definition includes painted, individual letters, and cabinet signs.

Moving Sign – A sign which uses mechanized movement (e.g. rotation) to attract attention, depict action, or to create a special effect or scene (and includes dancing inflatable displays).

Multi-tenant Complex – A development consisting of one or more lots and two or more businesses sharing appurtenant facilities, such as driveways, parking and pedestrian walkways, and is designed to provide varied products and services at a single location.

Nonconforming Sign – An existing sign, lawful before enactment of Chapter 17.62 MMC (Signs), which does not conform to the requirements of Chapter 17.62 MMC (Signs).

Permanent Sign – A sign constructed of durable materials, structurally affixed to the ground, sign support structure (e.g., pole), or to a building, and intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the site.

Portable Sign – A sign not permanently affixed to a sign structure, a building, or the ground.

Sign – Any device, structure, fixture, placard, and any related support structure erected for the purpose of displaying graphics, symbols, and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose of advertising or identifying any business, person, institution, commodity, service, entertainment, or activity.

Temporary Sign – A sign or advertising display constructed of fabric, vinyl, paper, cardboard, plywood, or other light materials, with or without a frame, that is set upon the ground, or that is attached to the ground by metal, plastic, or wood post(s) driven or dug into the ground with no footing or foundation, and that is intended to be removed upon termination of the activity of event. Such signs also include those of similar material that are attached by means of metal, plastic, or fabric ties to fences or other structures not designed or intended for the placement of signs. Temporary signs typically include, but are not limited to: portable signs, A-frame signs, banners, flags, or pennants.

Video Sign – An electronic changeable copy sign providing information in both a horizontal and vertical format (as opposed to linear), and having the capacity to create continuously changing sign copy in a wide spectrum of colors, shades, and light intensities.

Window Sign – An unlighted sign installed inside a window or painted on a window and intended to be viewed from the outside. (Ord. 5052 §2 (Exh. B), 2018; Ord. 4935 §1, 2011).